When mental health illnesses were first discovered, they were considered taboo. Many cultures originally viewed mental illness as punishment or a type of demonic possession. It wasn't until Dorothea Dix pushed for deinstitutionalization in the mid-1800s that those with mental disorders were treated as human beings. Although mental health has come a long way, we are nowhere near where we should be as a country in terms of mental health assistance.
Imagine this: you're sitting between two people on a bus. The individual to your left is sneezing and coughing; you can tell this person is fighting a cold or flu of some sort. The individual to your right is staring out the window or typing on their phone, they seem to be fine. But are they really? This person is battling anxiety and depression. They're on their phone hoping to avoid conversation because they have social anxiety. They are battling depression, and it was difficult for them to even get out of bed this morning.
This is may be part of the reason why we as a country are not as focused on mental health. When can see when someone is physically ill and give them medicine or refer them to a physician. But the people we love could be struggling with chronic depression, disguising it perfectly with a smile every time they are around us. Why do we have "sick days" for when we are physically ill, but not "mental health days" for those days when the sadness and anxiety shake us to our very core? Just like people need to take medicine and see a doctor for physical conditions, someone with a mental health disorder may need to go to therapy or be prescribed medicine in order to improve.
The costs of mental health treatment are another reason why those who need it are not getting proper treatment. As college students, we're lucky enough to have access to mental health resources on campus at a reduced cost. However, this is not the case for the rest of America. According to a study conducted by The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) in 2011, 50.1 percent of those with a mental illness (age 18 or older) reported that they did not seek medical attention because they simply could not afford it. This number includes both those who are insured and uninsured. According to The Washington Post, "States cut $1.8 billion from their mental health budgets during the recession [of 2007]."
We must bring awareness to how important mental health issues are and the importance of treatment. In the same study conducted by SAMSHA, 37 percent of Americans stated they didn't seek treatment because they didn’t believe that they needed it. Thiry-five percent were afraid of "negative social consequences or being institutionalized." This is extremely dangerous and could lead to more dangerous consequences of mental illness, such as suicide.
As a country, we must not take lightly to mental health issues. We must stop using the words "anxiety" and "depression" in a joking manner. We must not turn to mental health when we need state budget cuts. We must put an end to the commercialization of antidepressants and other important medications. We must provide support to those suffering and stop others from looking the other way when it comes to mental illness.
If you or anyone you know is showing signs that they may be a harm to themselves or others, please seek help.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
Panic Disorder Information Hotline: 1-800-64-PANIC
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK
Suicide & Crisis Hotline: 1-800-999-9999
SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline: 1-877-726-4727
